The rantings of a working mom of twins with a serious fiber addiction

stockings

Ok, so you folks that follow me know that, not only was I working to get that coat done, but I was also working on a pair on insane striped stockings. I have to admit, I didn’t have enough time to finish them before my trip. I was in full-on coat mode and wasn’t sure I would get it finished…so that was my top priority.

I also was afraid to try and take my knitting on the plane. After a phone call to Virgin Atlantic, I wasn’t willing to risk taking almost-done stockings through security only to have my needles ripped out of them, or worse, have them confiscated and have to try to send them home to myself. Forget that nonsense!

I did, however, decide to pack them in my luggage. I was glad to see they were safe and sound when we got to the hotel.

So on a couple of the nights we were in London, I would pull them out and work on them. I was staying up very late watching television and was having a really hard time sleeping. Sure enough, I got them done!

But the story doesn’t end there…

I decided they would look super cute with my dress. I put them on bright and early…I wore them on the tube, at the train station, on the train to France, to Sacre Coeur, and then to the dinky hotel we decided to stay at. Once we got to the hotel and started to put down our things, I just happened to glance down at them to see I HAD SLIPPED A STITCH.

Ugh. Luckily, that stitch had only run a little bit (maybe 4 stitches down). That is when I took them off and tucked them ever so carefully into my overnight bag. How sad. I didn’t get a single picture wearing them.

I didn’t wear them again on my trip. I wanted to try and get them home safely and then concentrate on repairing them. I rolled them up, stuck them in a plastic bag and tucked it away in my suitcase.

I went to knitting for the first time in weeks and while Kate and I hung out in a Starbucks, I gently picked up my stitches and did a bang-up repair job.

I know it sounds completely ridiculous when I say this, but I feel guilty for not knitting more.

I have projects that I obviously want to get done. I have about 1 week until I leave the country and I feel like I am getting NOTHING ACCOMPLISHED. Now, I know this is just my brain misfiring. I have gotten a lot done…it’s just not the stuff I intended to get done. Hopefully in the next week I can come up with some posts about all that, but for now…

I have my coat and my stockings, both are projects I want to get done before I leave for London. I did spend time working on my stockings last night, but it is taking me FOREVER. Keep in mind, I have been doing things that I simply HAVE to do that don’t quite involve knitting. Ya know, like being a parent and starting what I hope is a massive purge (more on that later).

So, now my knitting is happening during things like my daughter’s first softball practice.

Mommy is so proud!

Knitting in the stands.

Although you may not be able to tell from the photos…it was cold and drizzly. I would have rather been wearing these stockings instead of knitting them.

I really could pass out. I mean it…right this second…if it weren’t for my strong desire to get my socks done.

I get pretty stubborn sometimes. If I really want something, I have to have it. It may take me a while, but it only makes it that much better when I do get it. When it comes to wanting something completed…I push myself to until it gets done. It’s just how I am.

Right now in my knitting world, this applies to two things: My socks and my coat.

Me and my socks at Detroit Metro Airport.

I spent the majority of my time on the plane working on my socks. I didn’t have much else to do anyway. I have also been sitting here working on them tonight…ya know, instead of unpacking my suitcase or doing things that I *should* be doing.

I know, you would tell me the knitting can wait, right? I would have to disagree…

They are so…very…close to being done. Really, I’m not kidding.

Almost to my knees!!

The only thing slowing me down is the nasty tangling I am encountering by knitting stripes. I have 2 bags, each bag has 3 balls of yarn…each bag is assigned to a sock. The whole thing gets pretty messy. Someone please remind me that the next pair of stockings I make should be all one color.

This isn't even a bad tangle...

Another reason for me to hurry up is that I got a package while I was out of town…

SQUEE! Coat yarn!!

Finally I can get started on my coat. I am planning on starting a gauge swatch this week and go full throttle on it starting Friday night. This way I can pick the girls’ brains if I need help adjusting the numbers for sizing. Unfortunately, the folks over at Rebecca in Germany decided not to make this coat in anything above a size 36 chest. Um….that isn’t going to work for me.